Crop debris clearing device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that cleanly severs and clears crop debris from a planting row or closes a furrow while causing minimal disturbance to the soil. The residue coulter apparatus comprises a pair of flat discs each having a plurality of back swept teeth extending about their periphery. The teeth include a beveled cutting edge on the outer edge of the teeth adapted to sever residue from the field or close a furrow. The discs are oriented substantially vertical to the ground. Two discs are used in combination to clear a pathway for planting seed or for closing a furrow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This continuation-in-part application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/937,932 filed Sep. 10, 2004, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to crop debris clearing devices and more particularly to a novel and improved arrangement using substantially flat rotatable clearing discs each having a plurality of teeth extending from its periphery that are adapted to completely sever crop residue for easier removal.

By way of background but not limitation, residue coulters typically include a pair of concave discs opposing each other and mounted at conveying angles. The residue coulters are adapted to engage the soil to cut and plow residue out from in front of the planter. Residue coulters typically are overly aggressive and cause extensive soil tillage, reducing the effectiveness of the planter. Extensive soil tillage is undesirable because excessive movement of the soil can increase erosion. The increased use of low-till and no-till farming methods has created the need for apparatus that can be attached to farm implements for clearing debris such as mulch and plant stalks from the field, particularly during planting of a row crop such as corn. In order to facilitate the proper emergence of corn plants the corn seeds are required to be planted at a precise depth and properly spaced. The depth of the planting of the seed is controlled by wheels of the planter unit. The presence of corn stalks or other debris in the row line during the planting operation can change the elevation of the wheels and effect the accuracy of the seeding.

In view of the above, it should be appreciated that there is a need for a residue coulter that cleanly severs and clears crop debris from the planting row while causing minimal disturbance to the soil.

SUMMARY

The invention may be described as a novel and improved residue coulter apparatus that cleanly severs and clears crop debris from a planting row, causing minimal disturbance to the soil. In the preferred embodiment, the residue coulter apparatus comprises a pair of flat discs each having a plurality of back swept teeth extending about their periphery. The teeth include a cutting edge beveled on both sides and adapted to sever residue from last year's crop. The clearing discs are oriented substantially vertical to the ground. Two clearing discs are used in combination to clear a pathway for planting seed. The clearing discs are located on opposite sides of the planter and are angled toward each other so that the leading edges of the clearing discs are pointed in a toe-in orientation. The present design effectively removes crop debris and causes minimal soil disturbance.

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and the accompanying drawings, wherein the embodiments of the disclosure are described and shown, and in part will become apparent upon examination of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a crop debris clearing device attached to a planter;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a portion of the crop debris clearing device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the crop debris clearing device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a clearing disc;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the clearing disc, shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the crop clearing device with the clearing discs removed.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the clearing discs in an intersecting configuration;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the clearing discs in an offset configuration;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the clearing discs in a spaced apart configuration;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the clearing discs mounted for use on a trench closing device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the crop debris clearing device operating with a single clearing disc;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the clearing disc;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the clearing disc; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the clearing disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a particular embodiment is shown, it is to be understood at the outset that persons skilled in the art may modify the disclosure herein described while still achieving the desired result. Accordingly, the description that follows is to be understood as a broad informative disclosure directed to persons skilled in the appropriate art and not as limitations on the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a residue coulter 10 connected in front of a crop planter 12 in accordance with the present disclosure. The entire arrangement can be connected to a tool bar 13, which, in turn, is connected to a tractor (not shown). The residue coulter 10 of the present invention provides effective residue removal from the planting row while causing minimal soil disturbance. The residue coulter 10 also provides for superior soil depth control by permitting clearing discs 14 to be positioned closer to gauge wheels 54.

The clearing discs 14 used with the residue coulter 10 of the present invention completely sever residue with minimal soil disruption. The clearing discs 14 of the residue coulter 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are operated in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the ground and provide desirable residue removal with the least occurrence of soil engagement. The clearing discs 14 further include sharp cutting edges 15 that completely sever hard to remove residue such as BT corn hybrids, and bio-tech corn hybrids, such as rootworm resistant corn. The residue coulter 10 is connected to the leading edge of the planter 12 by use of a mount 16. It should be understood that farm implements may have many planters 12 for simultaneously planting many rows of crops. The configuration of the mounting brackets 16 used to attach the residue coulter 10 to the planter 14 varies depending upon the make and model of the planter 12 as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Bolts 17 can be used to secure the mount 16 to the front of the planter 12. Connected to the mount 16 are a pair of outwardly extending first and second brackets 18, 19 that are connected to the mount 16 by use of bolts 20, as shown in FIG. 3. Connected to the first and second brackets 18, 19 are a pair of inwardly inclined first and second arms 22, 24. The first and second brackets 18, 19 in combination with the first and second arms 22, 24 form a support frame or harness.

The first and second brackets 18, 19 include a plurality of apertures 26 that are adapted to accept a set of pins 28, as shown in FIG. 3. The first and second arms 22, 24 also include a plurality of apertures 30 that are adapted to accept the pins 28. Alignment of the apertures 26 of the first and second brackets 18, 19 with the apertures 30 of the first and second arms 22, 24 permit the installation of the pins 28. The pins 28 retain the first and second arms 22, 24 to the first and second brackets 18, 19. Repositioning the pins 28 permits variable adjustment of the position of the clearing discs 14 with respect to the planter 12. The apertures 26, 30 permit vertical and horizontal adjustment of the clearing discs 14 to control soil contact.

The first and second brackets 18, 19 in combination with the first and second arms 22, 24, permit telescopic adjustment of the bracket arrangement. Adjustment of the clearing discs 14 is also accomplished by use of an adjustment slide mechanism 74, as shown in FIG. 6. The adjustment slide mechanism 74 utilizes an inclined plate 76 that is adapted to be slid along a fixed inclined bracket 78 to raise or lower the clearing discs 14. The first and second arms 22, 24 of the mounting bracket include apertures 80 to permit the arms 22, 24 to be pivotally mounted so that the arms can pivot with respect to the fixed inclined bracket 78. The inclined plate 76 is secured to the first arm 22 by use of a u-shaped coupler 82 and a pin 81. To adjust the elevation of the first arm 22, the inclined plate 76 is slid along the first arm 22, which in turn causes an inclined surface 82 of the inclined plate 76 to slide along an inclined surface 84 of the inclined bracket 78. The inclined plate 76 also include a plurality of apertures 86 that are adapted to accept the pin. Once the desired height of the first arm 22 is reached, the coupler 82 is aligned so that one or more apertures 26, 30, 86 of the first arm 22, the inclined plate 76 and coupler 82 are aligned to permit the installation of the pin.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a bracket arrangement to mount the clearing discs 14 to a crop planter 12. The clearing discs 14 are secured to the planter 12 by use of a vertical post 68. The vertical post 68 is secured to the mount 16 by use of a bracket 70. The vertical post 68 includes a plurality of apertures 72 that permit the repositioning of the vertical post 68 with respect to the bracket 70 to raise and lower the clearing discs 14 with respect to the soil. FIG. 11 illustrates the use of a single clearing disc 14 with the alternate bracket arrangement. Use of a single clearing disc 14 is desirable under certain crop clearing conditions.

The clearing discs 14, as shown in FIG. 3, are rotatably connected at the leading end of the first and second arms 22, 24, as shown in FIG. 3. The clearing discs 14 are journaled for rotation utilizing a hub arrangement 32 that includes internal bearings and are attached to axles utilizing a construction known to those skilled in the art. The clearing discs 14 are positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, with a deviation from vertical from about 8 degrees to about 10 degrees. The slight pitch of the clearing discs 14 permit sufficient removal of debris from the planting row. The use of a modest clearing disc pitch results in significantly less disturbance of the soil and reduces the distance the debris is removed from the planting row.

The first and second arms 22, 24 include a top edge 34 and a spaced apart bottom edge 36, as shown in FIG. 3. The first and second arms 22, 24 are angled inward such that the top edge 34 of the arms 22, 24 extend outwardly further than the bottom edge 36. The first and second arms 22, 24 are also angled inward toward one another such that the clearing discs 14, when mounted, have a toe-in orientation. The clearing discs 14 of the residue coulter 10, when attached to the first and second arms 22, 24, have an overall leading edge 38 that is positioned inward of the overall trailing edge 40 of the clearing discs 14 forming a toe-in configuration. The first and second arms 22, 24 each include first and second apertures 88, 90 that are adapted to accept the hub arrangement 32 of the clearing discs 14, as shown in FIG. 6. The incorporation of two apertures 88, 90 permit the installation of the clearing discs 14 in several configurations, which is desirable when using the discs 14 in various soil conditions and with various types of crop residue.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate three separate orientations that can be implemented by altering the position of the clearing discs 14 on the first and second arms 22, 24. FIG. 7 illustrates the clearing discs 14 in an intersecting configuration. To set up this configuration, the clearing discs 14 are mounted to the forward leading apertures 88 on the first and second arms 22, 24. FIG. 8 illustrates the clearing discs 14 in an offset configuration. To set up the offset configuration the left clearing disc 14 is mounted to the forward aperture 88 on the second arm 24 and the right clearing disc 14 is mounted to the rearward aperture 90 on the first arm 24. FIG. 9 illustrates the clearing discs 14 in a spaced apart configuration, which may be desirable when clearing away heavier debris, such as corn stalks. To set up the spaced apart configuration both clearing discs 14 are mounted to the rearward apertures 90 on the first and second arms 22, 24.

The clearing discs 14, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, lie in a substantially flat plane and define a plurality of teeth 42 that surround the periphery of the clearing discs 14. The teeth 42 of the clearing discs 14 each include a curved leading edge 44, a curved trailing edge 46 and a substantially linear cutting edge 48 forming a crown, interconnecting the leading edge 44 to the trailing edge 46. The side surfaces of each tooth 42 include at least one beveled surface to define a cutting edge 48 on the top of teeth 42. The cutting edge 48 is used to sever the crop residue. The backward slope of the teeth 42 in combination with the cutting edges 48 on each tooth 42 are used to grab, completely sever and relocate crop residue from the planting row. The tooth's engagement with the ground is nearly vertical with respect to the soil due to the overall orientation of the clearing discs 14. While it has been found that positioning the clearing discs 14 within ten degrees of vertical to be effective, broader angles may also be utilized and are within the scope of the present invention. The design of the teeth 42 permits one of the cutting edges 48 to be in contact with the soil surface at all times to cleanly cut residue with minimal soil disturbance, creating the ideal growing environment for optimum emergence in a variety of cropping practices.

The teeth 42 are separated by a gap 56 that provides a space to permit the clearing discs to engage and retain the crop residue long enough to relocate the residue from the planting row. The gap 56 formed between teeth 42 is defined by the trailing edge 46 of a first tooth 42 and the leading edge 44 of a second tooth 42. The leading edge 44, the second tooth 42 and the trailing edge 46 of the first tooth 42 converge to form a curvilinear valley 58. The valley 58 of the clearing disc 14 is curved to prevent debris from becoming wedged between the teeth 42 as would happen if the valley were V shaped.

The residue coulter 10 further includes a tie bar 64, best shown in FIG. 3, that is positioned adjacent to and between the clearing discs 14. The tie bar 64 is adapted to secure the first and second arms 22, 24 together by use of fasteners or by a more permanent means, such as welding. The tie bar 64 retains the orientation of the first and second arms 22, 24. As a means of deflection, a pair of deflection rods 66 are used to deflect larger pieces of debris and prevent debris from re-entering the planting row. The deflection rods 66 also serve as a handle to permit the user to raise the clearing disc 14 when making height adjustments or removing debris stuck in the clearing discs 14.

The clearing discs 14 also include an aperture 60 that is positioned at the center of each clearing disc 14. The aperture 60 is adapted to permit the clearing discs to be connected to the axles of the residue coulter 10. The clearing discs 14 further include a plurality of fingered grooves 62 extending outwardly from the center of the aperture 60. The grooves 62 are designed to allow the passage of bolts therethrough to secure the clearing discs 14 to the mount structure 32.

The clearing discs 14 are designed to limit the relocation distance of the crop residue so that narrower seed row spacing can occur. Prior concave shaped clearing discs relocate debris at a distance great enough to create a thirty inch planting row whereas the flat clearing discs 14 of the present invention greatly reduce the debris relocation to less than half of the other clearing discs. Actual relocation distances are also dependant partially upon ground speed of the planter.

The clearing discs 14 are mounted ahead of depth gauge wheels 54 that are used to control the placement of the clearing discs 14 with respect to the soil and maintain placement over uneven terrain, as shown in FIG. 1. The clearing discs 14 are designed to be located closer to the gauge wheels 54 of the planter unit 12 for improved depth control.

Alternatively, discs 14 may be arranged at the rear of the unit for use as a trench closing device 92. FIG. 10 illustrates the trench closing device 92 connected to a liquid manure injector 13 in accordance with the present disclosure. The trench closing device 92 is adapted to close the trench that had been created by the injector 13. The trench closing device 92 includes a support bracket 94 that is attached to the liquid manure injector 13. The support bracket 94 includes an arm 96 that extends in a rearward direction. The arm 96 includes a biasing mechanism 98 that assists in applying a downward force on the discs 14 to close the trench. The trench closing device 92 further includes a horizontal bar 100 that is perpendicularly oriented to the arm 96. Connected to the horizontal bar 100 is a pair of L-brackets 102. The L-brackets 102 extend downward and include apertures 104 that are adapted to accept the discs 14. The L-brackets 102 are oriented such that the discs 14 are oriented in a toe-out configuration. The amount of disc toe-out and distance between discs 14 can be altered by repositioning the L-brackets 102 on the horizontal bar 100.

Other embodiments of clearing discs 214, 314 and 414, are shown in FIGS. 12-14, and lie in a substantially flat plane and define a plurality of teeth 242, 342, 442 that surround the periphery of the clearing discs 214, 314, 414. The teeth 242, 342 of the clearing discs 214, 314 of FIGS. 12 and 13 each include a curved concave leading edge 244, 344, a curved convex trailing edge 246, 346 and a substantially linear cutting edge 248, 348 forming a crown, interconnecting the leading edge 244, 344 to the trailing edge 246, 346. The concave leading edges 244 of teeth 242 extend from point 216 to point 218 and the convex trailing edges 246 of teeth 242 extend from point 220 to point 222, as shown, for example, in FIG. 12. The crowns 248 of teeth 242 extend from point 218 to point 222 to interconnect the concave leading edge 244 to the convex trailing edge 246.

The linear cutting edges 248 of teeth 242 are formed at an angle that slopes toward concave leading edge 244, as shown, for example, in FIG. 12. The linear cutting edges 348 of teeth 342 are formed at an angle that slopes toward convex trailing edge 346, as shown, for example, in FIG. 13. The side surfaces of each tooth 242, 342 include at least one beveled surface 250, 350 to define the cutting edge 248, 348 on the top of teeth 242, 342. The cutting edge 248, 348 is used to sever the crop residue and/or assist in closing a furrow. The slope of the teeth 242, 342, in combination with the cutting edges 248, 348 on each tooth 242, 342, are used to grab, completely sever, and relocate crop residue from the planting row. The teeth 442 of the clearing disc 414, shown in FIG. 14, are similar to the teeth of FIGS. 12 and 13 except the teeth 442 include a curvilinear crown 452 that interconnects the concave leading edge 444 to the convex trailing edge 446. The curvilinear crown 452 extends from point 416 to point 418 of teeth 442.

While the concepts of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired and protected.

There are a plurality of advantages that may be inferred from the present disclosure arising from the various features of the apparatus, systems and methods described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of each of the apparatus, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the inferred advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of an apparatus, system, and method that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for use with a farm implement, said apparatus comprising: an adjustable harness connectable to the farm implement; a pair of substantially flat rotatable discs pivotally connected to said adjustable harness, said discs each having a first side and an opposed second side and including a plurality of curved teeth extending from the periphery of said discs, each tooth having a curved profile consisting of a concave first edge that extends from a base of the tooth to an outer end of file tooth, a convex second edge that extends from the base of the tooth to the outer end of the tooth and a generally substantially linear crown interconnecting said first edge to said second edge of the respective disc when said disc is viewed from a single perspective; wherein each of said teeth includes a beveled surface on one of said sides to form a cutting edge substantially along the length of said crown.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said harness includes a biasing member to bias said discs into the field.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said discs include a second beveled surface on the other one of said sides to form the cutting edge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cutting edge of said teeth is adapted to engage and sever debris in the field.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said adjustable harness permits the adjustment of the toe-out angle and spacing between said discs.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said discs are positioned with respect to each other so that a plane formed by said first disc intersects a plane formed by said second disc.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said discs are oriented to within ten degrees of vertical. 